ETHICS, Stan Fields stoops to new levels of dishonesty in dealing with Theresa Kelly [D209]

Kelly emailed Fields requesting issues connected to the Proviso East "Wall of Fame" be addressed at the upcoming meeting of the board of education.

The text of Kelly's February 2, 2007 email to Fields included:

I am requesting a statement be made at the February 2007 board of education meeting to clarify the financial state of the Proviso East Alumni Wall of Fame...

Since Fields didn't respond to Kelly she emailed him again on February 7. Then she emailed him again on February 12. Since Fields didn't respond Kelly emailed again on February 14. She emailed again, today, February 16. Finally Fields responded.

BOE agenda is finalized 12pm Wednesday preceding the mtg

Apparently Fields doesn't want to deal with the issues raised by Kelly and is trying to bully her off the agenda.

Fields neglected to respond to Kelly's clear and repeated request to put something on the agenda. Fields ignored Kelly until after the deadline to have agenda items proposed and then tries to make it sound like Kelly didn't request the item be placed on the agenda by the deadline.

Is there anyone who wouldn't consider Fields' conduct disrespectful from Kelly's perspective?

Is Fields disrespectful to Kelly because she's not part of the board president's majority?

Fields is not as disrespectful toward board members Charles Flowers, EdD, and Gary Marine.

Let's cut to the essence of it: does Fields treat Kelly disrespectfully because she's a Black senior citizen without an advanced degree?

Fields may not want to deal with the Proviso East "Wall of Fame". It's ancillary to the district's mission. But let's review why the "Wall of Fame" is a big deal. Remember Fields' first board meeting.

Next Fields started asking about the fund associated with the Proviso East “Wall of Fame”. It was an opportunity for board president Chris Welch to make allegations against Kelly. Welch alleged she was refusing to account for the funds. He alleged the money was improperly spent. He alleged the project inappropriately intruded on students’ schedules. And Welch got Fields to say that what she was doing was illegal. According to Welch and Fields the law requires the fund be administered by the board of education because the organization has “Proviso East” in its name. Kelly accused Welch of lying. Welch attacked Kelly by loudly and repeatedly saying, “Mrs. Kelly, show us the money!”

The "Wall of Fame" is an issue because Fields and Welch used it to attack Kelly and accuse of doing something inappropriate and illegal with the money.

These allegations didn't hold water, but Fields and Welch made them.

So, if Fields thinks the board of education has time to use the "Wall of Fame" as a club for criticizing Kelly then it seems reasonable that Kelly should be able to get it on the agenda too. Of course as a board member Kelly should be able to put anything reasonable on the agenda. And Fields should have the decency to respond to her emails and act on her requests in a timely manner.

[UPDATE:Proviso Insider presents Stan Fields side of the story. The entry includes a portion of the text of Kelly's email to Fields. So whoever Proviso Insider is, s/he is close enough to Fields that s/he gets copies of Fields' emails.

[Proviso Insider's final sentence sums up Fields attitude toward Kelly, Why does a woman with a high school diploma think she can tell a person with a Ph.D. how to run a school? Maybe Kelly got the idea from Illinois law? Is she not a legally elected member of the school board? Is Kelly somehow exceeding her authority by asking for something to be put on the agenda? And what difference does the disparity in education level between a board member and superintendent matter? Is Proviso Insider being petty?

[Proviso Insider is pretty fond of a certain politician who failed to graduate from high school. But Proviso Insider never makes an issue of the politicians education level. Why is Kelly's education level relevant? If she did have a doctorate would it make her important enough for Fields to respond to her emails?]

Dont worry yourself too much about this Nuberg, cause things will change soon and when it does, Mr. Feilds wont boss around any other boards that are black, senior citzens or less educated than he! BELIEVE THAT!!

You are way over the top with your assumptions about Fields having issues with black board members. Fields must do what Board President Chris Welch says. Who voted Fields in as Superintendent? Chris Welch and his majority board. Who must Fields be loyal to while performing his duties as superintendent? Chris Welch and his majority board. With that being said. The students at Proviso is not a concern of Fields, Welch, or majority board. Politics as usual. How many friends have Fields hired as consultants since being hired as Superintendent?

Fields is not as dumb as Libka. But he takes his orders just like Libka did. If Chris Welch hates Kelly. Kelly doesn't stand a chance with Fields unless things change in April and he will be out shortly thereafter.

Ms. Coffee says: When Jackson was super., the board agenda was changed and changed sometimes up to an hour before the meeting. Fields could do that too. Another thought, have Kelly put a plant in the audience and ask about the wall of fame finances during the public comment section. This doesn't excuse Fields' rudeness to Kelly. It seems to me it's the whole board that hired him, not just Welch. Fields could be in for a rude awakening if Kelly manages to get back the majority power.

If he so desires Fields can do whatever he wants to that agenda . Fields has a personal beef with Kelly, because Kelly was a voiceful opponent against his hiring. Fields was still under contract at Mundelein and was job hunting. He had not been let go out of his contract when he applied and got hired at Proviso. Kelly asked him the tough questions and did things that any LOGICAL board member would do. Fields does not like Kelly because she is a Black woman that stands up to his SHORT NO EYE BROW ASS! I just want him to get out of pocket again at a board meeting, because he will be in for a rude awakening. I am starting the GET YOU OUT OF JAIL FUND for any Black man that will not allow Fields to continue to disrespect the Black and White women of this community. Fields has a problem with women in general. He cheated on his wife with that pale secretary of his and he disrespectfully talks down to the women administrators. Ask Regina Jackson, Diana Thomas, and Dr. Novickas, and Dr. Murphy. I bet his short ass won't talk crap to a BIG BLACK MAN WITH A BAT! Chris punk ass won't be able to protect Fields, when there are 10 BIG BLACK MEN at the meeting. Will Fields use his old football tricks then?

He does not have a problem with Sue Henry and Shirley Madlock because they are apart of the majority and they will do anything that Welch tells them to do. Shriley is fascinated and head over heels for Fields. I am glad to see that DUMMY off the board in April. She didn't even send her daughter to Proviso. At board meetings all she does is stare into his eyes and daydream. As for Sue Henry she comes to the meetings drunk anyhow.

Contrary to how Welch has brainwashed Fields, Field needs to recognize this is not 1957 it is 2007 and this ain't no damn Oklahoma! It will be a Million Man March, MARCHING on his ASS if he keeps it up.GET YOUR HAND OUT MY POCKET!

If what you're reporting is accurate, then it's a blatant lack of respect and totally unprofessional. Mr. Fields should respond to a board members request ASAP. That's not saying that he has to adhere to it. But he has a duty to respond and either oblige or at least give reason for not complying. His allege actions are troubling.